Many owners of Google’s older Nexus phones were not happy when Android 7.0 Nougat was released, as it removed the popular Night Mode feature from those phones. There have been a number of third-party mods to bring it back, but now it appears that Google maybe (just maybe) is preparing for its official return.

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Best Nexus 6P cases

September 15, 2016

For those of you who are coming into this debate late, Night Mode is supposed to offer smartphone owners a way to use them more easily in the dark by applying a blue-light filter toggle. Google made the decision to ditch Night Mode from the first Android 7.0 release, due to what the company said were performance issues with the feature. It is available on Android 7.1.1. for the new Pixel and Pixel XL phones, under the term Night Light.

Many fans have since posted “bug reports” on Google’s developer forums, requesting the return of Night Mode on Nexus phones with Nougat. Now, one such forum request has been closed by Google, and its status has been changed to “FutureRelease”. Obviously, this doesn’t mean the company is definitely going to bring this feature back, but it is an encouraging little sign. Hopefully we will get more information on this development in the very near future.

Google Nexus 6P and 5X owners who have been unhappy about not having access to the new fingerprint gesture feature found on Google’s new Pixel phones may have a little bit of hope today. According to a new report, a Google spokesperson has stated the company is “evaluating” plans to release a future firmware update to the 6P and 5X that would add support for fingerprint scanner gestures.

Not too long ago, Google team member Ian Lake posted on his Google+ account speculating that the 6P and 5X likely wouldn’t get the Pixel and Pixel XL’s fingerprint sensor gestures due to missing hardware. Then, earlier today, he stated that it was likely a firmware issue, not necessarily limitations caused by missing hardware. Now, Google has come out with this new statement, possibly indicating that the hardware issues may not be as big of a barrier as first thought.

However, Google’s statement also is not a 100% confirmed commitment to adding these features to the Nexus phones, either. The report said that Google did not offer any timeline for when this firmware update would be released, or if it will be released at all. Google stated that we should “stay tuned” for more information on this topic.

In other words, Nexus phone owners should definitely not hold their breath on Google adding the Pixel fingerprint gestures. Google’s carefully-worded response to this latest development on updating its older phones indicates it definitely hears the feedback from Nexus fans, but it remains to be seen if this Pixel feature will make its way to the Nexus devices.

Do you think that Google should have made a better effort in supporting the Nexus phones or is it just more efficient to let the new Pixel phones get some new features that won’t be on the Pixel?

]]>http://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-fingerprint-gestures-nexus-725987/feed/17A Nexus by any other name: Skin your Pixel to look like a Nexushttp://www.androidauthority.com/dbrand-google-pixel-nexus-skins-722251/
http://www.androidauthority.com/dbrand-google-pixel-nexus-skins-722251/#commentsSat, 15 Oct 2016 11:53:57 +0000http://www.androidauthority.com/?p=722251

The Nexus master race won’t take the ascendancy of the Google Pixel lying down. So much so that dbrand has recognized a potential market opportunity: offering custom skins for the Pixel and Pixel XL that replace the new Google “G” logo on the back with the old Nexus “X” logo instead. Now that’s loyalty.

See also:

These are the Google Pixel accessories

October 4, 2016

For $9.95 you can rage against the dying of the Nexus light and pretend your fancy new Pixel phone is still part of Google’s legendary Nexus line. There’s a wide variety of options available, allowing you to choose between an “X”, “G” or no logo on the back, along with carbon fiber, stone, metallic, leather, wood or true color skin options.

Pretty much everyone will try a dbrand skin sooner or later. Some swear by them, others give up after messing up the application of their first. But dbrand skins – or any others like them – are a good way to addd some additional flair to your new phone while at the same time protecting it from the usual scuffs it endures through daily usage. Hit the link below to check out the available options.

]]>http://www.androidauthority.com/dbrand-google-pixel-nexus-skins-722251/feed/65HTC Nexus ‘Sailfish’ exclusive: new renders & 360-degree videohttp://www.androidauthority.com/htc-nexus-sailfish-360-exclusive-715733/
http://www.androidauthority.com/htc-nexus-sailfish-360-exclusive-715733/#commentsSat, 10 Sep 2016 21:49:20 +0000http://www.androidauthority.com/?p=715733With most companies having launched their flagships for the second half of the year, the stage is set for Google – working with HTC this year – to launch its new flagships. Although we’re not sure exactly when the Sailfish will be unveiled for the world, today we have new renders and a 360-degree video – in partnership with Onleaks – which show off the Sailfish from every angle.

The new renders confirm what we’ve seen before but also reveal the Sailfish will sport a USB-C port rather than one of the microUSB variant, which is currently being phased out. Also not seen in previous leaks is the dual stereo speakers, which are both placed behind two rectangular holes flanking the USB-C port on the bottom of the handset.

We are also able to confirm the handset measures 143.8 mm x 69.5 mm x 7.3 mm at its thinnest point (the bottom) while it is 8.5 mm at the thickest point (the top). Although not shown in the renders, we can also confirm the headphone port is located along the top/left edge of the metal frame, when viewing the handset from the front, which quells some rumors that Google could be set to follow Apple’s (and LeEco’s) lead by dropping the headphone jack.

What else do we know about the HTC Nexus, codenamed ‘Sailfish’? Thanks to previous leaks, we can expect a Full HD display (probably measuring around 5.2-5.3 inches), alongside the Snapdragon 820 processor (although it might be the Snapdragon 821) and 4GB of RAM.

We’re also expecting 32GB internal storage, a 12MP rear camera, an 8MP front camera and a rear mounted fingerprint sensor (as seen in these renders). The whole package is likely to be powered by a 2770 mAh battery, while it will run Android Nougat out of the box. What could make the Sailfish stand out is the rumored metal and glass build and we’re also hearing it’s likely that Google will drop the Nexus naming convention for its latest (and future) devices.

What do you think of the new HTC Nexus Sailfish renders and what do you hope it brings? Or are you more interested in the bigger (and probably better) Nexus, codenamed Marlin? Let us know your views in the comments below!

Google’s Fi wireless service has been around for a while now, and until now, only Project Fi Nexus phones could take advantage of Google’s Wi-Fi Assistant. Wi-Fi Assistant essentially connects your phone to a trusted, stable, and open Wi-Fi network near you. That’s especially handy if you’re in an area where your cell signal or data connection is weak.

See also:

Project Fi now supports tablets and other data-only devices

December 15, 2015

The only inconvenience was that you had to have a Fi SIM card, and it was only compatible with the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, and Nexus 6. To alleviate this issue, Google announced a month ago that its Wi-Fi Assistant feature would be coming to virtually all Nexus users in the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, and Nordic countries, and it seems like Google wasn’t kidding around.

According to Droid Life, starting today, almost all Nexus users should be able to see the feature enabled with the latest version of Google Connectivity Services and Play Services. I say “almost all” because your Nexus device needs to be running Android 5.1 or higher. If you open up Settings > Google > Networks, you should see an option to use open Wi-Fi automatically. Don’t worry if you can’t see it yet because Google is presumably still in the process of rolling out the update.

If you open up Settings > Google > Networks, you should see an option to use open Wi-Fi automatically.

You may be wondering if it is safe to automatically connect to public Wi-Fi networks. Wi-Fi Assistant makes sure that your data is transmitted through a secure VPN managed by Google to protect your information. In fact, a small key symbol should appear when your device is using Google’s VPN. If this doesn’t convince you, then you can always turn off Wi-Fi Assistant.

If you’re in one of the supported countries, check your Nexus device to see if Wi-Fi Assistant is available and let us know by commenting below!

]]>http://www.androidauthority.com/non-project-fi-nexus-phones-get-wi-fi-assistant-715482/feed/22Report: Google-branded smartphones to be launched in Septemberhttp://www.androidauthority.com/google-branded-smartphones-710040/
http://www.androidauthority.com/google-branded-smartphones-710040/#commentsTue, 16 Aug 2016 07:36:08 +0000http://www.androidauthority.com/?p=710040
India’s fondness for Android seems to have made Google sit up and pay attention to the growth potential in a market where 97% of all smartphones run on its operating system. A new report has surfaced claiming that Google is getting ready to launch smartphones under its own brand name instead of the Nexus brand across selected markets, which include India.

According to sources cited by Gadgets 360, two Google-branded smartphones are on their way, one with a 5-inch display and 32 GB of internal storage, and the other with a 5.5-inch display and 128 GB of on-board storage. Both the devices will arrive with Android 7.0 Nougat in September, and will be positioned as high-end or premium models.

While there’s not much to go by in terms of their specs, the little information that is available seems to match the leaked specifications of the two upcoming Nexus smartphones, Sailfish and Marlin, said to be manufactured by HTC for Google. In fact, two HTC Nexus devices have just been spotted stopping by at the US FCC. If the new reports are to be believed, then the Google-branded smartphones are actually just Sailfish and Marlin without the Nexus moniker, and will also be manufactured by HTC.

Google’s attempt to position the two branded devices as premium smartphones is being seen as an attempt to take on the iPhone. The Google-branded devices will reportedly feature a new mechanism to transfer data from the iPhone in order to simplify the on-boarding process for new users.

It remains to be seen if Google succeeds in taking on the iPhone with its own brand of smartphones in the budget-conscious Indian smartphone market, where Apple’s expensive and premium devices have been losing share. In fact, the new Google-branded devices could actually end up hurting Samsung more by eating into its India sales, which have already been affected by feature-rich and attractively-priced Chinese handsets.

All these are only rumors at the time, and there’s no word yet on the pricing and markets where Google will offer its own brand of smartphones. We’ll be keeping our ear to the ground for this one and update you as soon as we hear something new.

Are you excited over the rumors about Google-branded smartphones and would you buy one? Hit the comments below to let us know!

Update: The Twitter user that posted the first blurry 2016 Nexus photo has posted another one from a different angle, which you can see below.

Original post: The last few days have been quite eventful for Nexus fans waiting to hear more about Google’s upcoming device in 2016. After all the excitement generated by its leaked specs, features, and renders surfacing over the past several weeks, eager fans yesterday got to see the smartphone in the flesh for the first time. A blurred close-up image claiming to be that of the 2016 HTC Nexus featuring a glass and a fingerprint sensor on the rear was posted on an anonymous Twitter account.

The 2016 HTC Nexus looks like a cross between the Nexus 4 & iPhone with glass and fingerprint scanner on the back. pic.twitter.com/7pm9fhszki

Now, more new images of the device have surfaced online, courtesy of Android Police, confirming its previously leaked metal and glass design and suggesting that it could be the smaller of the two Nexus devices, Sailfish slated for launch this year.

The image of a purported 2016 Nexus that appeared on Twitter matched its previous descriptions and mockups, showing the device with a glass and metal body, and a rear fingerprint sensor. In the image, a camera and flash were visible in the top left corner, along with a headphone port on the top right edge of the handset.

The latest leaked images now confirm the glass panel and fingerprint sensor on the back, and the same camera and sensor layout, though the device appears to be much thinner in comparison to the previous image on Twitter. The “G” logo on the rear bottom is also missing, but is likely to feature on the final device when it arrives in the market.

There’s no official word yet on when the 2016 Nexus will arrive, but rumors point to an October 4 launch. With the number of leaks only increasing of late, what we can certainly confirm is that an official announcement should be forthcoming very soon.

Are you excited about the upcoming Nexus 2016? Hit the comments below to let us know!

You know how on Huawei phones you can use the fingerprint scanner as a kind of trackpad for navigating the interface? To drag down the notifications shade and swipe through photo albums etc? Well, it looks like at least one of those gesture controls is bound for the new Nexuses as well.

See also:

Download the new Google Nexus launcher APK here

August 2, 2016

Android Police has obtained a setup screen for the feature, where it demonstrates using the finger scanner on the back of the phone to open the notifications shade. While there is no mention of using the scanner to swipe through menus or double tap to clear all notifications, if you’re going to add one gesture you may as well add a couple (assuming Huawei doesn’t object). You can also see the toggle for disabling the feature.

The next big question is whether or not the feature will be retroactively granted to the Nexus 6P and 5X – the only other two Nexuses equipped with finger scanners. While lots of folks hoped the feature would be ported to the Nexus 6P as a flashable zip (seeing as Huawei made it and all), that never happened for security reasons. But if Google adds the feature then Nexus owners are golden.

The setup demo also shows the new navigation buttons at the bottom, with the filled-in buttons and the Google Assistant detail around the circular Home button. According Android Police‘s sources, the button animates when activated but occasionally gets stuck, as it is in the screenshot. Generally, the green and blue dots would sit flush with the circular white button.

Do you like the idea of scanner navigation? Pumped for Google Assistant?